Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the final teeth to emerge in the back of the mouth, typically occurring between the ages of 17 and 25. For many people, wisdom teeth can cause problems when they become impacted or only partially emerge. One common question is: can wisdom teeth cause headaches? Understanding the link between wisdom teeth and headaches is important for managing oral health and discomfort.
Headaches and Wisdom Teeth: Is There a Connection?
Indeed, impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth can sometimes cause headaches along with other oral health issues. The pain and inflammation associated with problematic wisdom teeth can radiate throughout the jaw and head, resulting in headaches in some cases. Understanding the connection between wisdom teeth and headaches is important, as is being aware of home remedies and when to consider oral surgery.
Several ways struggling with wisdom teeth may potentially contribute to headaches:
- Infection – Pericoronitis refers to an infection in the gum tissue surrounding impacted or partially erupted wisdom teeth. Swelling, inflammation, and bacteria can cause not only tooth pain but headaches as well. The infection puts pressure on nerves that travel from the teeth/jaws up to the head and brain. Treating the infection is key.
- Cysts – Cysts sometimes form around wisdom teeth if the tooth becomes impacted and doesn’t have enough room to properly emerge. These cysts may become filled with fluid, debris, and bacteria over time. The cysts can become painful if infected and can press on sensory nerves, possibly triggering headaches.
- Chewing Issues – Since wisdom teeth are positioned far back along the chewing surface, problems with these teeth can make it difficult and uncomfortable to properly chew food. Avoiding chewing on one side may put strain elsewhere along the jaw and lead to TMJ pain or tension headaches.
- Sinus Problems – The maxillary sinus (behind the cheekbones and above the upper teeth) sits very close to the upper wisdom teeth. If top wisdom teeth push into the sinus space or become infected, it can contribute to sinus congestion, pressure, pain, and headaches.
So, can wisdom teeth cause headaches? Considering the above ways, certainly wisdom teeth may cause headaches in some cases. Tracking the timing and location of tooth pain versus headache pain can help determine if wisdom teeth may be a factor. Keeping wisdom teeth clean and treating any infections as soon as possible is wise.
Signs Your Wisdom Teeth Are Causing Headaches
Symptoms that your wisdom teeth may be causing headaches and require medical attention include:
- Consistent, throbbing cheek, jaw, or temple pain on the same side as impacted wisdom teeth
- Pain behind the eyes and across the forehead
- Pain that radiates toward the ears on the same side
- Headaches that stem from the jaw then move upward
- Sinus pressure and pain in the upper teeth/face area
- Pain when biting down or chewing with the back teeth
- Swelling and tenderness near partially impacted wisdom teeth
Treating Wisdom Tooth Pain and Headaches
Before rushing to get your wisdom teeth surgically extracted, try some home remedies to ease wisdom tooth pain and associated headaches:
- Saltwater Rinses – Swish warm salt water around painful wisdom teeth a few times a day to flush out debris and draw out swelling. The salt helps reduce inflammation too.
- Pain Relievers – Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help alleviate painful headaches and toothaches.
- Cold Compression – Applying an ice pack against the jaw and side of the face may numb pain and reduce inflammation.
- Garlic, Cloves, and Mouthwash – These have natural pain-relieving and antimicrobial properties to manage tooth infections. However, cloves should not be held directly against teeth.
While home remedies may provide temporary relief in some mild cases, oral surgery to extract problematic wisdom teeth often becomes necessary if symptoms like recurring headaches persist. Speak to your dentist about pain that isn’t resolving or seems related to your third molars. Extractions can stop associated headaches and infections. Wisdom tooth removal nowadays has faster healing thanks to precise techniques.
Sum Up
In this article, we’ve answered the question many ask – can wisdom teeth cause headaches? Wisdom teeth can certainly cause headaches sometimes along with tooth pain due to their impacted or problematic positioning. Headaches tend to result when wisdom teeth become infected, damage nearby structures like the sinus, or make chewing uncomfortable. If wisdom tooth pain radiates up to your temple, behind your eyes, toward your ears, or across the upper jaw, it may trigger headaches.
Treating wisdom tooth infections early via saltwater rinses, pain relievers, and mouthwash may temporarily help related headaches improve. But oral surgery all too often becomes necessary. Getting your problematic wisdom teeth extracted by an experienced dentist can resolve associated headaches and pain once and for all in many cases.
Modern techniques allow for smoother extractions and faster recovery today. Be sure to discuss all your wisdom tooth symptoms with your dentist, and never hesitate to get a second opinion too. Tracking details like the timing and location of your toothaches versus headaches can shed light on whether your third molars might be the culprit.
Ultimately wisdom teeth may remain problem-free for some people. But for the many who do suffer pain, infections, and cysts around newly erupting third molars, headaches unfortunately may develop as well. Have you experienced headaches related to wisdom teeth? Feel free to share how you have dealt with headaches caused by wisdom teeth.
References
- Sifuentes-Cervantes JS, Carrillo-Morales F, Castro-Núñez J, Cunningham LL, Van Sickels JE. Third molar surgery: Past, present, and the future (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34030996/). Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2021 Nov;132(5):523-531. Accessed 9/12/2023.
- American Dental Association. Wisdom Teeth (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/wisdom-teeth). The last reviewed date is not listed. Accessed 9/12/2023.
